The 2011 World Cup is now seen as likely to retain the 20-team format, the Times reported late last week, a most welcome development for America.
"The Times understands that there has been a seismic shift in sentiment [last] week as delegates from the 115 member countries have gathered in Paris before [a] full IRB council meeting, which [was] expected to discuss the matter. It is difficult to find anybody who believes that a scaled-down tournament is a sensible, viable or legitimate option. If adopted, it would backfire spectacularly on the IRB, countering the mission statement to spread the game globally," the reliable Mark Souster writes. Read toward the bottom.
The move significantly increases the USA's chances of playing in the next world championship, since it's likely the Americas will retain two qualifying places (plus an automatic place for semifinalist Argentina). Equally important, USA Rugby's business development strategy can be premised on major international exposure in four years' time.
The vote has been delayed until next month. Strong performances by quarterfinalist Fiji and Tonga, both of whom would have missed in the 2007 championship under a 16-team format, were especially influential in turning the tide.
Ed Bluemel and Scott Peterson of national champion Chicago Lions could make their international debuts at the Singapore 7s this weekend. Other newcomers in the 12-man squad include Thretton Palamo and Justin Boyd.
USA Under-17 coach Sean O'Leary will lead Notre Dame, as the famous Indiana schools seeks to restore its rugby progam to former glory. The Fighting Irish entered the past weekend unbeaten and in first place of the Chicago union.
Bruce Carter is to continue as president of the Northern California referee society, while board member Dixon Smith is stepping down after decades of service to one ofthe country's finest chapters of match officials.
United States to Singapore 7s
Forwards:
James Gillenwater (unattached), Nick Johnson (Denver Barbarians), Scott
Peterson (Chicago Lions), Ed Stockunas (Norfolk Blues)
Backs:
Ed Bluemel (Chicago Lions), Justin Boyd (Texas A&M), Chris Frara
(OMBAC), Justin Hundley (NYAC), PJ Komongnan (Radford University),
Malinese Malifa (Belmont Shore), Jone Naqica (Golden Gate), Thretton
Palamo (Golden Gate)
Management: Al Caravelli (coach), Craig Hartley (assistant coach), John Broker (manager)
Totally off-topic but I'd like
Chuck to elaborate:
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/10/22/martial-arts-tv-star-picks-presidential-candidate/
Posted by: Cheyanquí | 22 October 2007 at 13:02
Had the IRB REALLY stuck to it's:
1. adding 4 guaranteed slots, making total of 12
2. reducing 4 available, to 16
It would have stunk like cartelism of the worst degree. Actually, it would be so anti-competitive, it would look like US pro sports (closed cartels), rather than the rest of the world.
My cynical side says that were it not for the valiant performances of the minnows, this
12 + 4 = 16 (guaranteed + available = total)
would have carried through with little consideration.
if only Rugger-Jester Tommy Boy Callahan still alive to weigh in on the 2007 All Blacks and what a "guaranteed" slot in the RWC would mean
Posted by: Cheyanquí | 22 October 2007 at 13:09
Chuck Norris says - Cheyanqui, you know there is MSM Chuck, and Gainline Chuck!
Gainline Chuck is a rib rock conservative, and Huckabee believes too much in big government.
Besides, Chuck's nominee must continue to cut taxes and kill terrorists, and bring the RWC to America.
As far as Chuck is concerned - anyone but Hillary. Even Christie can't stand her.
Chuck predicts Jake White will be England's coach by year end.
USARU should hire Eddie Jones - he is a rugby genius!
Posted by: Chuck Norris | 22 October 2007 at 20:55
Can anyone tell me if, any of the selected 7’s forwards – are XV forwards of if they are XV backs? Not a big deal – but it appears Caravelli selects smallish players.
MacDonald is playing now. Mealamu, Toeava, So’oialo, and Smith all played last weekend. It confuses me why some of our past 7’s stars seem to be taking a ‘Rest’?
4 forwards, 8 backs – and 3 staff?
Posted by: GungaDin | 23 October 2007 at 07:57
Hopefully smarter heads will prevail and the IRB will leave it a 20 team tourney. I want to see the US compete again as does everyone else here in the states.
Posted by: MSG | 23 October 2007 at 12:16
gunga -
Singapore is used by al to identify new players and get the younger guys already in the mix(hundley,pj) more playing time, as its not an IRB series event.
Al knows what he has in the guys who played alot at the RWC (z,clever, wyles) and stated back in the summer he wanted the RWC players to take time off for recovery so they can be in peak form for the meat of the IRB schedule
Posted by: rags | 23 October 2007 at 12:26
Thanks for the update rags.
Has McNaughton dropped retired or injured?
Posted by: GungaDin | 23 October 2007 at 16:00
Retired... held together with duct tape and dental floss.
Posted by: Mook | 23 October 2007 at 16:09